Teaching cat to use a cat flap

helcat26

Inspired by you lovely people I have bought a microchip cat flap for Breadcat. This is because instead of sleeping she now fancies nipping outside at 4.50am. This is currently achieved by her jumping on my face until I wake up, then a ritual of me standing by the open door in my scanties saying "go on then are you going out or what?"
Given that she sees my role in life as opening and shutting doors for her, I am not convinced she will take to it.
My husband in particular would like to see some evidence of enthusiasm from Breadcat before making a thumping great hole in the door.
I am concerned I will get a response like this poor chap!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQzMrabLuRU


Is there any benefit in me making a fake wall and trying to tempt her through it? Using a big box to put her food in with the catflap as an entry? Any ideas?

nic_santorini

I have a 10 month old kitten and got a brand new double glazing panel with cat flap installed at the factory. Did she use it, yes. How, well we stood by it and opened it up when she was around and eventually she climbed through it but then at first meowed at the door to come in. We then opened it up for her to come back through it and gave her treats as a reward.

Two weeks later she was coming and going as she pleased.

So it will be worth it. I did not get the magnetic one, as my previous cat kept losing the magnets. I have two way lockable one and I have had no other cats use it in the 3 months it is has been there.

Hope this helps

queengoth

Hi I have one with a microchip reader in it, in order for this to set up the cats had to pass under the reader until the microchip has recognised and stored , this ment my husband and I sitting either side of the cat flap with both our cats pushing them backwards and forwards. Entertaining though this must have been to watch it did seem to give them the idea and they went straight into using it to get out, plan b was to prop it open until they used it but this didn't have to happen for us.

vic_sf49

An easier way to register the microchip flap to the cat, is to put the cat flap over or near the cat before fitting it.

I tried fitting the cat flap into a box and putting food inside, to no avail.

Fitted the cat flap in the panel next to the door, then sat by it a bit to show the cats the outside world, by just opening the flap. Also sat in the doorway holding treats one side of the flap to coax them through it......they'd sussed it by the end of the day.

anotheruser

Treats + lots of encouragement and cuddles when they use it.

It worked for ours. They don't like using it but I guess it's the same as me not liking getting into a cold car in the winter.

We made sure they went through both ways before leaving them to their own devices.
Although one of ours will mess about near the door, then wait until we open it :P They come in using it though as they know it's the only way they'll get back in.

tesuhoha

The way I taught my cats was to play a game. I was on the other side and I waved a feather toy in front of the flap which they couldn't resist.

Gloomendoom

When I fitted one, I read my cat the instructions and showed him the pictures.

He looked at me and then just went out through it.

It was all a bit of an anticlimax really.

no1catman

Gloomendoom - that's priceless!

If it hasn't been fitted already - read the instructions you may need to order a special mounting. I didn't - Double-glazers sealed it in place.

My mature calico cat of eleven took almost a month before she would come in by herself. For awhile it was a case of holding it open, even then it was viewed with suspicion. But eventually with her being the outside - and her freshly prepared boiled fish steaming just the other side - she got the hang of it.
Now, its almost as if she comes in on the bound. Though once it locked her out - too much fur over the sensor.

Sadly, even after several months hasn't got the hang over going out through it. So, my sleep is often disturbed two-to-four times a night. She scratches the landing carpet to gain attention - but when the French door is open, she just sits there, back upstairs and 30 minutes later the same thing happens - two hours later and she goes out!!

So, you think you've got problems!

helcat26

Well we are on stage one
Chip has been matched to catflap and cat is passing through catflap (masking taped open) to get in and out of sitting room. Husband and I are performing gymnastics t get over barrier.
Tomorrow is shut (coded) catflap in same place.
If that works it is hole in the door time

[Deleted User]

tesuhoha wrote: »

The way I taught my cats was to play a game. I was on the other side and I waved a feather toy in front of the flap which they couldn't resist.

We tried this. My husband sat out in the garden waving a slice of meat through the cat tunnel at the cat who was inside the house.

The cat looked at him, then sat down away from the cat flap. She then glanced at me with a look that said "he's a prat". However, he did make me and the cat laugh.

She does use the flap now, but insists on pushing open the flap with one front paw. She then hops through on three legs looking like she is doing a superman impression.

helcat26

Thanks.
We are at stage 2- it is in the door and sellotaped open causing a howling gale, and she is alternately going through it or doing her usual reaching for the door handle to say open the door. When outside she spends time looking through it at me saying "come on" to her from inside.
She will not play with feather toys and I have tried a piece of ham on a string to no avail.
Black and white cat up the street is happy using it and I keep finding him in the kitchen.


The weather has not helped.
Tomorrow the door closes! Then she will have to use a paw. Tough love for poor Breadcat.